Have you always wanted a lush backyard garden? Or perhaps wanted to move a bit further "off the grid" and grow your own food? Maybe you just wanted to support your community and lessen the environmental impact by purchasing locally grown produce, eggs and meat.

All of these topics and more will be addressed at the first annual "Grow Your Own — the REAL Local Food Festival" at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. March 31 at 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford.

"‘Grow Your Own’ will provide some great information and serve as a guide to learning about backyard gardening," said Jason West, GEHC director of programming and development.

There will be tables, presentations\ and workshops covering the how-to’s of backyard chickens, vegetable gardening, composting, local food CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), farmers’ markets and local food restaurants.

Local farmers and organic educators will be on hand to answer questions and provide you with the knowledge to get started in your own back yard.

The festival also includes activities for the "wee" gardeners.

"There will be children’s activities throughout the day," added West. "Crafts, seed planting, Junior Master Gardener activities, and worm composting discoveries will get children excited to dig in the dirt as temperatures get warmer."

West says Home Depot will also be on campus with a kid’s workshop to assist young people in building their own garden critter home.

Know where your food comes from while supporting your community and the earth all at the same time.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org. This festival is included with Center admission and is free for GEHC members.